UKIP Councillors to hold help and advice surgery in Willaston

 

UKIP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich Cllr Richard Lee and Willaston and Rope Borough Councillor Brian Silvester are holding a Help and Advice Surgery on Tuesday 5th August from 6-7pm at Willaston Social Club, Wistaston Rd. Willaston. Brian said ," All are welcome. We can't promise to solve all the problems residents bring to us but we always promise to try."

The Surgery is being followed by a UKIP public meeting at the Willaston Social Club starting at 7.30pm. Cllr Silvester and Cllr Lee will be speaking about the current planning fiasco in Cheshire East and other issues. All are welcome and questions will be taken.

Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons)

UK Independence Party Councillor

Willaston and Rope Ward Councillor

Cheshire East Council

11 Rimsdale Close

Rope,Crewe

CW2 6RS

Tel/fax 01270 567757

Text     07760147609

www.twitter.com/cllrbsilvester

www.facebook.com/CllrBrianSilvester

WITTERS FIELD APPEAL DUE TO START NEXT TUESDAY

 

Whilst still reeling from the news that Gladman Developments have submitted a second ‘slightly tweaked’ planning application for Witters Field, Wistaston residents, Local Councillors and members of Hands off Wistaston (HOW) have now just received the news that the Planning Inspector will be hearing the appeal on the original application for up to six days from next Tuesday.  Some residents are naturally very angry as they have only just received their letters of notification, from the Council, in the post yesterday.  The letters are dated the 23^rd and they feel that they have not been given much notice of the appeal.  Local Councillors and HOW are asking for residents to support them by going along to the appeal if they possibly can.

HOW Spokesperson Peter Wainwright says;

“We have done so much work over the last year or so keeping this planning application in the public eye.  The fight has not just been about Witters Field we are absolutely adamant that our local Green Gaps should be retained and that is the message that we have consistently given out.  Wistaston residents have been absolutely fantastic with their support every time they have been asked to comment or join in with public consultation.  Witters field matters so much to them so we urge them to see this fight through to the end and drop in at the appeal.”

Wistaston Ward Councillor Margaret Simon says;

“Cheshire East Council, local Ward Councillors, the Parish Council and HOW will be working very hard at the appeal, on behalf of their residents, to try to put a stop to this unwanted, unplanned development.  It would be great if residents could come along and show their support.”

The appeal is due to start at 10.00am on Tuesday 5^th August 2014, at the Carlsberg lounge, Crewe Alexandra Football Club, Gresty Road, Crewe.  From Wednesday 6^th August2014 it will be held at the Council Chamber, Municipal Buildings, Crewe.  The decision will most likely be announced later this year.

Cygnets Hooked by Fishing line AGAIN

Once again the fishermen have injured more cygnets one above with a hook in its mouth and line trailing behind was spotted by the wildlife group https://www.facebook.com/groups/queensparkwildlife/ and action was taken to save it we hope that its not swallowed the line and has internal injuries. Once again the low life that do this don't report it to the RSPCA or anyone to get it help they run off and leave it to die a horrible painful death. The other cygnet is still at the RSPCA Stapley and still isn't out of the woods yet lets hope it pulls through.

Again there is a possibility that another has been caught in line tonight and the one below we are worried about its leg as it seems to be injured.

The problem is there is no end in site things are just getting worse with an almost daily problem and these are not kids fishing these are adults doing this. Nothing is being done to stop this happening. You can see below an illegal act not just park rules but its illegal to leave a rod unattended as it states on the licence https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/rod-limits if found by the environment agency  you can get a hefty fine and banned from fishing http://www.fisheries.co.uk/news/news/marshall.htm

Once kids start in the school hols things will be totally out of control and the CEC are doing nothing to help the situation they are covering up criminal acts when swans are attacked every incident with a swan attack should be reported to the police not covered up.

Something must be done I have heard of people suggesting vigilantly patrols and this must be condemned but people are shocked and upset by lack of response by the park

Going by other park rules in the uk the rules need to be changed

no ground baiting (the wildlife see this and come over then the angler doesn't lift the rod)

Clear notices of how to contact the bailiff so people can report problems and if they hook wildlife report it. The stupid £5 fee want increasing to a reasonable £30 then this would pay for more bailiffs

No catapults these are weapons and not suitable in the park as last week the kids were firing at wildlife.

Bailiffs to note who is on what peg and times and that person is responsible for the peg and to clean up after them ie no left line this would also give a clue as to who was fishing if wildlife are hurt.

No casting close to wildlife and rods to be lifted if wildlife come close

Apart form the cygnets there are a lot of baby ducks moorhens and rabbits to see in the park at this time

A local teenager is heading to Africa on work experience.

reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

A local teenager is heading to Africa on work experience. Rhiannon Owen, aged 16 from Willaston, is currently raising funds for a two weeks and five days work experience placement to Tanzania, East Africa in August 2014.

She will shadow doctors in paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology. The opportunity was setup by Gap Medics - http://www.gapmedics.co.uk/ – who organise placements for aspiring students in medicine, nursing, midwifery and dentistry.

She heard about Gap Medics whilst studying at Malbank School in Nantwich where she recently completed eleven GCSEs. She starts studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, French and English Literature at Sir John Deane's College in Northwich from September and then plans to study medicine at University.

Rhiannon said, “My mother is a nurse at Macclesfield District General Hospital and I would like to follow her lead and pursue a medical career. It will be my first visit to Africa and I am eager to experience first-hand clinical medicine and surgery.”

Carol Owen, mother, said, “She's had her heart set on studying medicine since she was very young. Hopefully the placement in Tanzania will be one step nearer to a career in medicine.”

The Nantwich and Acton Grammar School Foundation (NAGS Foundation) charitable trust have generously paid for her flights to Tanzania. Rhiannon has also raised money herself towards the £3,000 total cost of the placement via activities such as a tombola and bric-a-brac stall at the recent Willaston Village Fete.

If you would like to make a donation towards her placement please visit: http://www.gofundme.com/7ffy4k .

Hedge to be cut back after complaints

 

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor Brian Silvester has taken up complaints about the overgrown hedge outside the Berkeley Primary School, Laidon Avenue,Rope.

He said,” I have received complaints about the overgrown hedge outside the school. (Photo attached) Pedestrians find it difficult to walk on the footpath, especially when vehicles are partly parked on the footpath. Outside the school is very busy at the start and finish of the day.There are a lot of traffic movements and it is dangerous if pedestrians are restricted in terms of the use of the footpath and have to step into the road. Also it is not good that the overgrowth is preventing the warning street signs from being seen properly.The school have promised me that the hedge will be cut back.”

Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons)

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor

Cheshire East Council

11 Rimsdale Close

Rope,Crewe

CW2 6RS

Tel/fax 01270 567757

Text     07760147609

www.twitter.com/cllrbsilvester

www.facebook.com/CllrBrianSilvester

FUN GALA AT CREWE POOL

A Community Games swimming gala was held on 19 July at Crewe swimming pool for people with disabilities. Dozens took part and the participants had fun with swimming aids and on the giant inflatable structure, some competed in races and others enjoyed ‘aqua dancing’ with music playing on the pool-side.

After the pool session, the swimmers joined their friends at a disco and buffet at the Purple Onion - the Lady Verdin Trusts’ drop-in centre in Edleston Road. The disco had a football theme, to celebrate this year’s World Cup in Brazil, and many of the participants wore their favourite football shirt.

Everyone involved in the gala were presented with a Community Games certificate by the Mayor of Crewe Town Council, Councillor Pam Minshall. The event was organised by Seahorse Swimming Club, as part of the country-wide Community Games programme, which brings communities together by getting involved in sport and cultural activities, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The event was a huge success and our thanks go to the town mayor and the staff at the pool and at the Purple Onion for their support. It was good to see so many people with disabilities having such a good time, and staying active in the pool and on the dance floor. With all the rain, the pool was the best place to be on the day, as it was probably one of the wettest days this summer!” - Seahorse secretary, Gareth Roberts.

Children in Sandbach Heath are crowned recycling champs!

 

Children from St John’s CE Primary School in Sandbach Heath beat off stiff competition from several other children to be crowned Ansa’s Junior Recycling Officers of the Year.

The event took place at a fun, interactive event at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre.

Ansa, a company owned by Cheshire East Council, was established in April 2014 and delivers environmental services for the council. Our Aim is to reduce the long term environmental impact of the services we deliver while increasing customer satisfaction and driving down costs.

Every year, schools in Cheshire East nominate two junior recycling officers who work with Ansa’s waste education officer Lucinda Hodges to prepare and present assemblies, run competitions, set up recycling schemes and collections and encourage other pupils to raise awareness of the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

At the end of the year, junior recycling officers enter the yearly award and children, teachers and parents are invited to an awards ceremony where each shortlisted child gives a short presentation about the work they have done throughout the year and a team of judges choose the winners.

The judges – Ansa chairman Councillor John Hammond, Ansa board director Councillor Roger West and Ansa general manager Jane Thomason – chose Shannon Levitt and Aimee Trembath, from St John’s CE Primary School, in Sandbach Heath, as this year’s winners.

The judges felt the pair had been the most innovative, creative and proactive in their approach but the runners up were also recognised for their hard work and were presented with a medal and wind-up radio. 

At the event, Shannon and Aimee talked about the work they had been doing over the last year in school to raise awareness about recycling, which included making animals from old boxes they then painted. They also performed a play at school where the reception children made trees, made planters from unusual items such as trainers, skirts and bin bags and held an eco bake-off too!

Ansa chairman Cllr John Hammond said: “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the Junior Recycling Officers and was very impressed with the work they have done within their school to educate other children about recycling.

“I would like to congratulate Shannon and Aimee for winning – but must also congratulate all the children for being shortlisted as it’s a great achievement.”

Ansa managing director Kevin Melling added: “Continually improving the way we recycle and reduce our waste is incredibly important and that is why we work with children in schools as they are our future generation.

“I am delighted that so many schools across Cheshire East have actively engaged with us and I would like to personally thank all our junior recycling officers for working so hard to raise awareness of the need to reduce, reuse and recycle”

The other junior recycling officers that were shortlisted this year were from Vine Tree Primary School in Crewe, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Congleton, St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School in Knutsford and Cranberry Academy in Alsager.

For more information about the role of the Junior Recycling Officers, please visit, junior recycling officers

Next phase in multi-million pound Basford West spine road

 

The next stage of a multi-million pound road investment is under way in Cheshire East, as part of the All Change for Crewe programme.

Plans to start building the Basford West spine road are now under way after the Council’s developer partner, Goodmans, appointed a contractor to begin work on the £7m road next month (August) as part of a larger contract.

It follows the Council’s successful bid to the DfT for ‘pinch point’ funding in order to ease congestion in the area and open up 35 hectares of strategic employment and housing sites, creating more than 2,000 jobs and boosting the economy by an estimated £40m, with 12,500 jobs over the next two decades.

The 1km road represents a vital link between Gresty Road in Crewe and the Shavington junction of the A500 and will improve access to Crewe railway station and then on into the town centre.

It also presents opportunities to develop the existing land in the Basford West area for retail and leisure developments and also for much-needed new homes.The land will also be earmarked for commercial use, including rail-related development.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “This is more fantastic news for Crewe and further proves this Council’s commitment to helping this town to grow and thrive again.

“It also means Crewe is being taken seriously as a place for investment, because the Government is recognising the town’s huge economic potential time-and-time again.

“The road itself will provide excellent local and strategic links to Crewe and Nantwich as well as the A500 and M6. It will ease traffic on the existing roads in the area and offer relief to other routes into Crewe, such as the A5020 and Weston Road.”

This success follows on from the delivery of the new station access, the commencement of the Crewe Green Link Road South and M6 J16/ A500 widening scheme and the improvements at M6 J17 to follow this Autumn.

The authority is now waiting to hear whether it has been successful in applying for £2.8m to widen the B5078, which leads to the M6 at junction 16 at Barthomley.

Work is already getting under way on the £11.2m joint scheme between Cheshire East Council and the Highways Agency, with the installation of traffic signals on Junction 16 of the M6 and the widening of the A500 to two lanes approaching the junction. The A500 scheme will see a 600 metre-long widening of the A500 on the approach to the M6 at junction 16 on the Crewe side.

Councillor Jones added: “The project is the culmination of years of hard work and lobbying by the Council and is the latest in a series of successful road bids for this authority, which aims to put residents first and deliver better connectivity and jobs-led, plan-led growth for the people of Cheshire East.

“Improving connectivity between our communities and the M6 is one of the cornerstones of the Council’s vision for a less-congested and better-integrated road network that will help transform Crewe and surrounding areas into an economic powerhouse by 2030.

“This Council is continuing to deliver on that ambition and will be monitoring the success of the Highways Agency’s traffic management to ensure the best results for our local roads.

“One of our key aims is for Cheshire East to have a strong and resilient economy and improving the roads in and around the Borough ensures that we will gain an even greater reputation as an excellent place to live, visit and do business. Cheshire East is the best in the North West and the place to be.”

Local fund-raising event

Reporter. Jonathan White, Wistaston

Sisters Emma and Tricia Boffey from Burleydam organised a ‘30k for 30 years’ event in memory of their brother, Will, which took place on Saturday 19th July 2014. Will sadly passed away in 2007 having contracted acute myeloid leukaemia in 2005. The date of the event would have been his 30th birthday.

Emma started her 30 kilometre run from Nantwich Swimming Pool and ran past various places linked with Will, such as the Barony playing fields, Brine Leas School, Wrenbury Football Club and Audlem Primary School. She was joined by best friend Kate Harper for the first 10 kilometres, friends including Franklyn Goodwin, Andy Williamson and cousin Matt Wright for the middle 10km and sister Tricia for the last 10km to their family home in Burleydam. Emma was supported by father Mike Boffey in his car and Ben Reinhardt on his bicycle.

Emma and Tricia also organised a Celebratory party following ‘30k for 30 years’ at Audlem Public Hall to raise further funds for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Nantwich Swimming Baths kindly allowed a collection bucket to be placed on their reception desk during the day. The sisters also received a donation from the Combermere Arms, Burleydam who generously ran a raffle for the event.

The day raised several thousand pounds worth of vital funds for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research - http://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/ - to allow them to beat blood cancers.

Emma and Tricia said, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their fantastic support and encouragement. We have been overwhelmed with good wishes and the fund raising total is amazing! We felt proud to have completed the 30 kilometres in good time and we were encouraged by fellow runners and flag waving supporters at various points along the route. The day finished with a great Party in Audlem at which several of Will’s friends from Brine Leas School and Nottingham Trent University attended, which was a real tribute to our brother.”

Emma & Tricia are still accepting donations, so if you would like to donate please go to https://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/people/emma-boffey-llr/30-km-30-years

Call to help identify minerals sites for next stage of Local Plan

 

Cheshire East Council wants YOU to help pinpoint potential sites for mineral extraction across the Borough.

As part of the next stage of the Council’s Local Plan, the authority now needs to identify sites and areas for future mineral extraction in the Borough in order to meet national planning policy requirements.

The Council’s spatial planning team is conducting a minerals ‘call for sites’ as part of this process – seeking details of potential mineral sites from interested parties, as well as the views of stakeholders and the wider community on how we should assess these sites.

The Council is calling on operators and landowners to identify sites they consider have potential for the extraction of minerals including salt, sand and gravel.

This is a key building block of the next phase of the Local Plan – to decide site allocations and development policies.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “The siting of new mineral extraction sites is hugely important for the creation of jobs and growing the economic prosperity of Cheshire East. But it is also often a controversial, issue – and it is critically important that we get it right, taking into account such factors as impact on the environment.

“This Council is deeply committed to putting ‘residents first’ and to getting things ‘right first time’ for our residents and communities. That’s why it’s vital that people from all walks of life get involved to help us locate the most appropriate minerals sites.

“It takes just a few minutes to fill in the short online survey form. It is, after all, about helping to shape a better, more prosperous and more sustainable Cheshire East for the whole community.”

The ‘call for sites’ period runs from Monday (July 21) until September 1, 2014, during which time suggested sites can be submitted to the Council.

Once a full list of possible locations has been gathered, the Council will undertake a comprehensive assessment of each site and identify whether or not they are suitable.

For further information on the process please visit our online consultation portal at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/localplan

Site information can be submitted to the Spatial Planning Team by e-mail via:

planningpolicy@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Alternatively, contact the team by post at:

Spatial Planning Team

Cheshire East Council

1st Floor Westfields

C/O Municipal Buildings

Earle Street

Crewe

CW1 2BJ

The team can also be contacted by phone on: 01270 685893

Welcome to the July edition of the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service e-Newsletter.

 

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Take Extra Care - measures you can take during the strikes

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has announced a further period of industrial action / strike dates:

• Friday 18 July from 11pm-1am 

• Saturday 19 July from 11am-1pm and 11pm-1am

• Sunday 20 July from 5pm-7pm

• Monday 21 July from 6am-8am and 5pm-7pm.

We are urging residents to 'Take Extra Care'

Please make sure you have a working smoke alarm installed in your home and know exactly how to get out of your home if a fire was to break out.

Find out more about our 'Take Extra Care' campaign

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Think before you park

Would a fire engine be able to get to your house in an emergency?

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to think about the way they park their vehicles to prevent lives from being put at risk.

We know sometimes space can be limited but please try and leave enough room for a fire engine to get past should it need to respond to an emergency.

Find out more - Think before you park

Video - showing how a fire engine struggles to get to some emergencies

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Fire team wins national award

A team which uses data and information to help Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service improve the safety of local communities has won a national award.

The Business Intelligence team triumphed in the not-for-profit sector in the first ever Management Today Analytics in Action Awards.  

Find out more - Fire team wins national award

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Smoke alarm alerts residents to house fire in Ellesmere Port

Four people had a fortunate early wake up call on Thursday 3 July 2014, alerting them to a fire in an Ellesmere Port bungalow.
A smoke alarm, which had been fitted by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in July 2012, activated in the home, waking two of the occupants who then woke up the other people inside.

Find out more - Smoke alarm alerts residents to house fire in Ellesmere Port

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Summer safety

Stay safe during the summer months, use the links below to access fire safety tips and advice:

• Barbecue Safety

• Camping Safety Advice

• Caravan Safety

• Countryside Safety

• Water Safety

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Fire Station open days in July

The Service is holding two free open days in July to raise safety awareness in the local communities.

Why not bring your friends and families along to:

• Middlewich Fire Station Open Day - 20th July

• Runcorn Fire Station Open Day - 26th July

Willaston Village Fete.

Reporter  Jonathan White

 

The Willaston Village Fete took place on the afternoon of Sunday 20^th July 2014. This annual event is organised by the Willaston Parish Council and took place on the Lettie Spencer Playing Fields, off Wybunbury Road, in Willaston.

The event began with a procession from the Moorfields War memorial at 12:30pm. The procession included the retiring Willaston Rose Queen (Gladys Llewellyn) and this year’s Willaston Rose Queen (Ffion Owen) and her Attendants (Greta Piasecka and Janista Harding) in a fifty-two year old Triumph Herald open-top car owned by Dave Parker and driven by Shaun Farrell. The procession also included a number of other classic vehicles, along with the 26th South West Cheshire (1st Willaston) Scout Group.

Once the procession had arrived at the gates of Lettie Spencer Playing Fields at 12:45pm, a ribbon was cut to officially open the Fete by Wayne Lewis (Fete committee, Willaston Parish Council), Brian Silvester (Cheshire East UKIP Councillor for Willaston and Rope Ward) and John Flackett (Fete committee, Willaston Parish Council).

Once on the Lettie Spencer Playing Fields the retiring Willaston Rose Queen (Gladys Llewellyn) thanked the people of Willaston for their support during her year in office. Willaston Primary School Headteacher Miss Clare Grehan then placed the crown on the head of this year’s Rose Queen Ffion Owen, aged 10. Ffion stated that her chosen charity this year is Alder Hey Children's Charity http://www.alderheycharity.com/ .

Attractions included a collection of classic cars and motor bikes, a dog agility show by the Wyche Dog Training Club, music from Willaston School, a bouncy castle, bungee trampolines and children’s sprint races. There were numerous stalls including a coconut shy, skittles, paintball, hook-a-duck, tombola and face painting. Paul Simpson and Julie Lewis from The Cat Community Radio provided music and commentary throughout the day. Refreshments were available on the playing fields and within St John’s Church Hall.

Ffion Owen’s mother, Carol Owen, said, "Ffion is delighted to be Rose Queen this year after being so ill last year that she attended the Fete in a wheelchair. Her nominated charity is Alder Hey Children's Charity. She hopes to raise money for Alder Hey as a big thank you for helping her through her illness.”

Ffion Owen’s grandparents, Dave and Doreen Parker, said, "We are so proud that our beautiful granddaughter along with her Attendants are representing Willaston over the next twelve months. We wish them all the best in their fund-raising activities”.

The event took place in sunny weather and was enjoyed by several hundred people.

I’ve uploaded all my photos to a Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/sets/72157645392635639/

Dog agility show by the Wyche Dog Training Club.

Coffee Morning

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

Over one hundred people visited the home of Glenys and John White in Westfield Drive, Wistaston for a Coffee Morning on Thursday 17th July 2014.

The event was a social occasion supported by several local organisations, friends and neighbours.

The sun shone and the petunias in the display containers and tubs raised their heads in colourful, spectacular fashion.

There was a raffle, a bric-a-brac stall, a book table and delicious refreshments, organised by members of the hall's management team and friends.

A total of £408 was raised during the morning, which will be used to modernise the disabled toilet at Wistaston Memorial Hall, Church Lane. 

The hall's management committee wishes to thank all those who supported the event in so many different ways.

Woman benefits cheat ordered to repay almost £10,000 and do unpaid community work

 

A woman who fraudulently claimed nearly £10,000 in benefits has been ordered to repay the money and do 50 hours’ unpaid community work.

Kelly Rowe, 29, of Mayfield Avenue, Macclesfield, pleaded guilty at South and East Cheshire Magistrates’ Court (on July 8, 2014) to one charge of benefit fraud after failing to report a change in her financial circumstances.

Magistrates sitting at Crewe heard that Rowe had claimed housing benefit, Council Tax benefit and Council Tax support since July 2011, on the basis that she was a lone parent on a low income.

However, Cheshire East Council’s benefit investigations team found Rowe had failed to tell the benefits team that her partner had moved in with her and was supporting her financially.

In failing to report her changed circumstances, Rowe was overpaid state benefits totalling £9,789 – which magistrates have she must now repay in full.

Magistrates also sentenced Rowe to a 12-month community order with a requirement to do 50 hours’ unpaid community work. She will also have to pay court costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £50.

The prosecution was brought by Cheshire East Council.

Councillor Peter Raynes, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of finance, said: “Benefit fraud is immoral and simply wrong. What’s more, it will not be tolerated by Cheshire East.

“We are an enforcing Council and are firmly committed to ensuring such offenders are brought to justice.

“This prosecution, and others like it, sends out a message, loud and clear, that we not tolerate benefit fraud.

“This Council will continue to take robust action to protect our communities from those who cheat the system at the expense of honest taxpayers.”

If you think someone is committing benefit fraud, you can ring the confidential freephone fraud hotline on 0800 389 2787. You don’t have to give your name and your call will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Alternatively, you can report suspected fraud via the Council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Couple who fraudulently claimed £18,000 in benefits had more than £140,000 in secret bank accounts

 

A couple who fraudulently claimed more than £18,000 in benefits secretly had more than £140,000 hidden in bank accounts.

Now the pair have each been ordered by magistrates to do 160 hours’ unpaid community work – and repay every penny of the benefits they cheated from taxpayers.

Deborah Otter, 35 and Nigel Bailey, 47, both of Coronation Avenue, Alsager, pleaded guilty at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court (on July 14, 2014) to two charges of making false representations in order to obtain housing benefit and Council Tax benefit.

Magistrates sitting at Crewe heard that Otter and Bailey had claimed housing benefit and Council Tax benefit since December 2007, on the basis that they were on low income and needed help to pay their rent and Council Tax.

However, investigations by Cheshire East Council’s benefit fraud team found the couple had more than £140,000 concealed in bank accounts they had fraudulently failed to declare.

Had they declared these sums to the Council, Otter and Bailey would not have been entitled to benefits.

Cheshire East Council investigators found Otter and Bailey had been overpaid state benefits totalling £18,749 – which magistrates have ordered the pair to repay in full.

Magistrates also sentenced Otter and Bailey to each carry out 160 hours’ unpaid community work. The pair were also ordered to pay court costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £120.

The prosecution was brought by Cheshire East Council.

Councillor Peter Raynes, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of finance, said: “This is a totally shameful case of a couple defrauding the public purse.

“Prosecutions such as this send out a clear message that Cheshire East is an enforcing Council and will take robust action to protect our taxpayers from those who abuse the system to line their own pockets.

“Benefit fraud is simply wrong and will not be tolerated by this Council. We can reassure the people of Cheshire East that we are committed to ensuring these offenders are brought to justice.

“Last year we successfully brought 48 prosecutions for benefit fraud – and we are keeping up the pressure to catch offenders.

“Since April 1 (2014), alone, we have already successfully prosecuted 18 people for benefit fraud. We are making it clear that, when it comes to benefit fraud, we will track down offenders to ensure crime simply doesn’t pay.”

If you think someone is committing benefit fraud, you can ring the confidential freephone fraud hotline on 0800 389 2787. You don’t have to give your name and your call will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Alternatively, you can report suspected fraud via the Council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Injured Cygnet Latest

 

Report just in from the wildlife group on Face Book https://www.facebook.com/groups/1502881536594395/

got back from visiting our cygnet at Stapeley. How cool to be allowed to see him but how sad to hear he has a 50/50 chance of surviving. His injury, confirmed to be caused by FISHING LINE has made him unable to walk. If he can not put weight on his leg and is unable to walk he will have to be put to sleep. Made me want to cry. Poor little thing. He is on painkillers and my fingers are crossed. More care MUST be taken when fishing. This is a protected species.

If there is no action taken by the fishing group and the park management then more are going to die the fishermen throw in ground bait and the swans think its food so come over to them we watched today as swans swam under rods and the fishermen made no attempt to lift the rod to keep them safe. Once the kids start then all hell will break loose and the council will do nothing they remove any comments on Face Book trying to pretend nothing is happening. If the RSPCA gave the fishing group a £4,000 vets bill every time this happened they may get their act together.

Injured Cygnet update

Today volunteers from Queens Park Wildlife Conservation mounted a rescue of the injured cygnet and many turned up to keep an eye on it while waiting for the RSPCA. Most of the day members have been on the phone trying to get help for it. The RSPCA turned up later in the day and helped by volunteers who are known to the swans it was captured and taken away to Stapley as it was in to bad of a state to leave. What shocked a lot of people was that this was all done by volunteers while management who get paid to do the job by CEC did nothing. Its there job to take action on injured swans and give a swan in distress caused by fishermen top priority.

You can join the group on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1502881536594395/